LBPD Deputy Chief Jeffrey J. Craig Appointed Chief of Police in Texas

The Long Beach Police Department Deputy Chief Jeffrey J. Craig, a 29-year veteran of the Long Beach Police Department, has accepted the position of Chief of Police for Victoria Police Department in Texas. Chief Craig will officially leave the Long Beach Police Department at the end of July, and start at his new post the second week of August.

Jeffrey Craig, who goes by “J.J.,” began a long and impressive career with the L.B.P.D. back in 1982, and until now, that career spanned his entire adult life. Starting out as a police officer, he was assigned to the Patrol Bureau, where he then moved on to the Drug Investigations Section. He was promoted to sergeant in 1988, and moved on to the Gang Enforcement Section, then Metropolitan Division and became a member of the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT). He was promoted to lieutenant in 1997 and oversaw the Field Support Division, then moved on to the Investigations Bureau, where he oversaw the Vice and Career Criminal Apprehension Team. In 2000, J.J. was promoted to commander, and oversaw the Communications Division, before becoming the commander over the West Patrol Division. As a commander, he also worked as the Chief of Staff under former Chief Anthony Batts, and for the Field Support Division before promoting to the rank of Deputy Chief, where he oversaw the Patrol Bureau before moving to his present position in the Support Bureau.

Along with his many years of experience in a variety of positions, Chief Craig’s numerous academic and training accomplishments have made him a very valued member of the Long Beach Police Department team, where he is a well-respected leader.

“I was born and raised in Long Beach and have spent my entire adult life here at the Long Beach Police Department. The skills and experience I gained have prepared me well for my new role. This is an outstanding police department and I will miss the people and of course, the California weather, but my family and I are looking forward to making Victoria our new home,” stated departing Deputy Chief Craig.

Chief McDonnell stated, “As a department, we take pride in building great leaders and share in their success when they move on to take the helm of other agencies. But the flip side of that is the fact that he will be missed and leave behind some big shoes to fill, as have all of our departed command staff.”

Deputy Chief Craig’s departure will mark the eleventh Long Beach Police Department employee who has accepted the position of Chief of Police with another agency.